Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
CPAWS is Canada's pre-eminent, non-profit wilderness protection organization.
With a network of 13 chapters, 20,000 members, over 50 staff and hundreds of committed volunteers, since 1963
CPAWS has helped to conserve over 400,000 square kilometres of Canada's most treasured wild places in parks and
other protected areas- an area nearly seven times the size of Nova Scotia!
Our mission
CPAWS envisages a healthy ecosphere where people experience and respect natural ecosystems. We will achieve this
by:
• protecting Canada's wild ecosystems in parks, wilderness, and similar natural areas, preserving the full diversity of
habitats and their species;
• promoting awareness and understanding of ecological principles and the inherent values of wilderness through
education, appreciation and experience;
• encouraging individual action to accomplish these goals;
• working co-operatively with government, First Nations, business, other organizations and individuals in a
consensus-seeking manner, wherever possible.
CPAWS believes that by ensuring the health of the parts, we ensure the health of the whole, which is our health too.
Canada, home to one-quarter of the world's remaining wilderness forests, stands out as a beacon of hope for conservation in a time of enormous change. The next 10 years are a critical time for us to act, before industrial development
forecloses the chance to protect some of the last great forests and fresh water and marine ecosystems on earth. We
have the amazing opportunity to protect at least 50% or more of our remaining wilderness, including our Boreal Forest
region.
CPAWS' vision is that Canada will lead by example through conserving large landscapes and waterscapes within our
own borders and oceans. Our vision is that Canada will maintain pristine lakes, vast caribou herds and abundant wild
salmon; that we will share the land with magnificent predators like grizzly bears and wolves; that we will nourish the
land ethic of Canadian cultures; and that we will continue to enjoy the beauty of nearby natural landscapes in our daily
lives.
mission
Our 10-year vision
Forward
M
anitoba’s spectacular wild places offer abundant opportunities for relaxing, recreating, and connecting with
nature. Natural lands and waters provide inspiration to the many people who have chosen to purchase or
build a cottage in wilderness country.
Few people have a better opportunity to observe the effects of human activities and pollution on the wilderness than
cottagers, many of whom return each year to the same location and whose knowledge of the local area may have been
passed down by previous generations. With over half a million cottages across Canada, cottagers, as a group, can have
quite a positive or negative impact on the environment.
For cottagers to continue fully enjoying their homes away from home, it’s essential they take measures to ensure their
environmental footprint is as small as possible. Collectively, taking positive steps based on informed choices will help
keep our treasured sanctuaries clean and healthy for future generations of wildlife and people.
The Green Cottager Guide is intended for use by individual cottagers, cottage associations, non-governmental
environmental organizations, and all other citizens with an interest in preserving the natural beauty and functions of
the ecosystems where they live, work and enjoy outdoor activities.
The guide is a comprehensive compilation that includes valuable information as well as useful tips on how you can
become a green cottager. Download this handbook for reference, or print it to keep at the cottage, and share it with
friends and neighbours. Consider printing the "Quick Tips Reference Guide," a condensed version of the handbook,
to post on your cottage fridge.
Some Things Should Last Forever
www.cpawsmb.org
forward
We hope the Green Cottager Guide finds a useful place in your cottage and helps you do your part in keeping
Manitoba’s wilderness beautiful and well for all.
Dear Friends,
On behalf of CPAWS Manitoba, I would like to share our pleasure
in presenting you the Green Cottager Guide. This project is part of fulfilling our mission to inspire responsible stewardship of our wilderness
and natural areas.
CPAWS Manitoba’s primary role is working to establish large protected areas in Manitoba’s boreal forest. We focus exclusively on boreal forest conservation as it is our province’s greatest opportunity for
large-scale ecosystem protection.
Unlike many places in the world, Manitoba is still rich with an abundance of intact ecosystems and healthy wildlife populations. While we can take great pride in our robust natural
treasures, it’s important to note that our remaining boreal lands and waters are threatened by
the northward push of industry and associated road networks. Large-scale developments, such
as logging, mining, and hydro, that fail to sufficiently consider long-term environmental and
cultural impacts continue to be the status quo.
In the next decade, many land-use decisions will be made in Manitoba that will map out the
future of much of Manitoba’s wilderness. This is a critical time in our province’s history, a time
when we must ensure that we plan for conservation and communities before allowing expansion
of landscape-altering mega-projects. That is why CPAWS has a bold vision to work with all
involved to permanently protect at least 50% of Canada’s remaining wild lands and waters.
Everyone can contribute to keeping our natural regions wild. We encourage you to get
active with CPAWS’ conservation efforts by volunteering, voicing your views about wilderness
protection to political leaders, or donating to one of our campaigns. Your investment will help
build a Manitoba where future generations will enjoy the call of the loon, the eerie howls of
wolves, and the sound of trembling aspens in the wind. Please visit www.cpawsmb.org to learn
more our conservation initiatives and how you can get involved.
All the best,
Ron Thiessen
Executive Director
CPAWS Manitoba
introduction
Draping across the northern shoulders of the globe, the boreal is the world’s largest source
of fresh water, the northern lungs of the planet, and as Earth’s largest terrestrial storehouse of
carbon, it helps slow the accelerator pedal on climate change. Every Canadian relies on the
boreal for either food, a job, supplies, medicines, or recreation. Canada’s boreal also provides a
home to a vast array of wildlife as well as over 600 First Nation communities who rely on it for
traditional activities and sustainable economic opportunities such as eco/cultural tourism.
Table of Contents
Water
Manitoba: Land of 100,000 Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Water Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Pollution and Nutrients in Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Sewage Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Algae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Shorelines
The Effects of Boating and Docks on Shorelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Wildlife
The Special Role of the Landowner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
People and Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Aquatic Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Aquatic Insects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Invasions of Exotic Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Cottage & Property
Environmentally Friendly Landscape Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Understanding Health and Heating with Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Shrink Your Cottage Energy Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Household Hazardous Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Environmentally Sensitive Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Glossary of Terms
Credits
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
table of contents
Causes and Effects of Shoreline Erosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6
Did you know?
• Three of Canada’s 15
largest lakes are found in
Manitoba - Lake Winnipeg,
Lake Manitoba and Lake
Winnipegosis.
• At 115 metres, West Hawk
Lake is the deepest lake in
Manitoba.
• About 12,000 years ago,
glacial Lake Agassiz covered five-sixths of Manitoba.
It drained 7,500 years ago.
• Manitoba is the only
province in Canada where
all water in the rivers eventually flow north.
• More than 70 per cent of the
flow in our streams originates outside of Manitoba.
• Lake Winnipeg - the largest
lake in Manitoba and the
tenth largest in the world covers 24,389 square kilometres.
• The Nelson, Churchill, Seal
and Hayes rivers carry more
than 99 per cent of the water
flowing from Manitoba into
Hudson Bay. The Nelson
River alone carries over 60
per cent of this flow.
• Global warming is expected
to influence Manitoba’s
water resources. For example, warmer air temperatures
are likely to increase water
temperatures and reduce
the length of time of ice-covered conditions.
Water
ur vast, virtually untouched reaches of water - an intrinsic part of
our daily lives – are admired by people all over the world. A lakeside cottage epitomizes the dream vacation or ideal retirement home
for many of us. However, it is essential that we preserve pristine aquatic
areas in the province for their ecological and intrinsic value. Surface water
quality varies in the province. It is generally poorest in the more densely
populated south and improves to pristine conditions in the less populated
north.
O
Manitoba: Land of 100,000 Lakes
Lakes, Bogs and Streams
Surface water is present in a variety of forms - lakes, ponds, bogs, sloughs,
marshes, streams and rivers. Flow is the primary feature that distinguishes
still waters such as lakes, ponds and sloughs, from flowing waters such as
rivers, creeks and streams.
Large permanent bodies of still water are called lakes; smaller bodies that
dry up occasionally are called ponds or sloughs. Marshes and bogs are semipermanent and shallow but quite extensive in surface area. They have deep
layers of partially decomposed vegetation that act like a sponge - soaking up
water in times of abundance and slowly releasing it during drier conditions.
Still waters act as sinks, allowing pollutants to settle to the bottom. They
also act as production factories where algae and other organisms convert
nutrients and raw substances to biological material.
Rivers as Report Cards
Flowing waters transport water and nutrients across the landscape. Rivers
are distinguished from creeks by their flow volume and channel width.
Rivers have been called the “report cards of communities” because the quality of water in our rivers reflects our land management practices.
Water Use
Manitoba has an abundance of water and it plays an important role in our
daily lives. Water uses include drinking water, recreation, irrigation, industrial operations and aquatic life and wildlife habitat.
Household Water Use
Water conservation should be practiced at home and at the cottage. Every
day, the average Manitoban uses about 227 litres of water in their home. A
recent study from the Rural Municipality of St.Andrews suggests that in
households, 33 per cent of the water is used to flush toilets, 16 per cent for
baths and showers, 23 percent for laundry and 28 per cent for drinking,
cooking, dishes, water softener regeneration and lawn and garden watering.
water
• Manitoba has 900 trillion
litres of surface water which
covers approximately 16 per
cent of the province.
Did you know?
Using Water Wisely
• Like most of the rivers in
southern Manitoba, the Red
River carries three quarters
of its annual runoff between
April and June.
Water is wasted in many ways and can be used more wisely by reducing,
repairing and retrofitting. You can reduce your water use by making a conscious effort to use less whenever possible. Repairing leaks in taps, toilet
tanks and pipes can save water and money. Replacing older and inefficient
toilets with efficient six litre per flush or dual flush toilets could reduce the
water you use indoors by up to 25 per cent. If you are replacing your appliances, consider purchasing water and energy efficient washing machines
and dishwashers.
• As of 2006, Manitoba had
four of Canada’s 40 designated or nominated heritage
rivers under the Canadian
Heritage River System – the
Seal River, the Bloodvein
River, the Hayes River and
the Red River (nominated).
Photo by Ron Thiessen
water
7
8
• When sewage
systems become
overloaded with
excess water,
poorly treated or
untreated water
enters and
contaminates
Manitoba’s lakes,
rivers, streams
and aquifers.
• One drip per second wastes 10,000
litres of water per
year – enough to
fill 200 bathtubs
per year.
• A leaking toilet can
waste up to
200,000 litres of
water per year enough to fill
4,000 bathtubs per
year.
What You Can Do
In General
• Turn taps off tightly so they do not drip.
• Repair tap, faucet, pipe and hose leaks promptly.
• Plant native drought-tolerant plants in areas you normally water around your house
and cottage to reduce outdoor water use and provide habitat for birds and butterflies.
In the Kitchen
• Only use a dishwasher when full; use the cycle that requires the least water.
• Hand-wash dishes in a partly filled sink. Instead of using running water to rinse
dishes, fill a separate sink or use the faucet spray attachment.
• When rinsing fruits and veggies, put a basin below the faucet and recycle the captured water for thirsty plants or sluicing off the deck chairs.
• Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running tap
water until it is cold.
In the Bathroom
• Check for toilet tank leaks and repair promptly. Toilets use the largest proportion
of household water. To test for leaks put a few drops of food colouring into the
tank. If the colouring appears in the bowl without being flushed, you have a leak.
• Use toilets only for their intended purpose. Do not flush paper towels, cotton
swabs or cigarette butts. Never flush paints, solvents, pesticides, or other chemicals since these are hazardous to the aquatic environment - the eventual recipient of all those toilet flushes.
• Flush less. A toilet dam or displacement device in the tank reduces the amount of
water being flushed. The toilet dam is a simple tool that holds back water from
the flapper valve. Displacement devices can be DIY – set a full plastic water bottle in the tank (don’t use a brick; it can disintegrate, ruining the valves).
• Water efficient six litre or dual flush toilets are available and are practical for
home and cottage use. Check the Canadian Water and Wastewater
Association website at www.cwwa.ca for the latest list of water efficient toilets
that work well.
• Composting toilets that meet National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) international standards are another option.
• Use a partially filled sink rather than running water continuously while washing
your hands. Brushing your teeth for two minutes with the tap running loses about
11 litres of water down the drain; a mug of water for brushing and rinsing does
the job with much less waste.
• Short showers use less water than full baths. For bathing, fill only half the tub
with water.
• Install a low-flow showerhead, especially if long-showering teenagers hang out
at your cottage. A low-flow aerator can cut the water flow by 50 per cent without lessening the spray.
Laundry
• Front loading washing machines tend to be more water and energy efficient.
• Only use the washing machine when full; use the cycle that requires the least water.
• Adjust the water level if smaller washes are necessary. If you have a septic system, limit the number of loads per day to avoid overloading it.
water
Did you know?
9
Pollution and Nutrients in Water
Pollution Source
A combination of natural factors and human activities contribute to the varying quality of surface water and
groundwater in the province. Salts, arsenic, uranium and wildlife waste are some of the natural substances that
can pollute water. Human contributions include contamination from leaking septic fields, municipal wastewater facilities, petroleum storage tanks, fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and livestock waste.
Sources of Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Nutrients are commonly found in:
• human sewage
• drainage from bog areas
• greywater
• pet and livestock feces
• lawn and garden fertilizers
• cleaning products
• agricultural fertilizers
• leaching or weathering of rock
• industrial effluent
• soil erosion
How Nutrients Affect the Aquatic Ecosystem
Water temperature, clarity, depth, the amount of dissolved oxygen, available nutrients and plant growth are all
interrelated. The growth of aquatic plants and algae requires the penetration of sunlight through the water in
combination with sufficient nutrients. In turn, the dissolved oxygen produced by these plants is essential for
fish and aquatic insects. A progressive increase in nutrients causing excessive plant and algal growth can eventually have a profound effect on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the lake or river.
Often, different plant and fish species begin to appear while those less tolerant to changing conditions begin
to disappear.
Lakes are categorized as either oligotrophic, mesotrophic, or eutrophic, depending on the concentration of
nutrients. Clearwater Lake and West Hawk Lake are oligotrophic - they are deep and cold, and have low concentrations of nutrients. Mesotrophic lakes, like Barren and Brereton lakes, are warmer with enough nutrients
to support weeds and occasional algal blooms. Eutrophic lakes are usually shallow and enriched with an overabundance of nutrients. The south basin of Lake Winnipeg is eutrophic and may have dense algal blooms
because of excess nutrients.
Eutrophication is the natural aging process for all lakes. Under normal conditions, this process takes thousands
of years. Enriching our lakes with nutrients from municipal wastes, industrial wastes, poor land-use and fertilizer practices and faulty septic systems can artificially accelerate the process of eutrophication to a few short
years. A nutrient-enriched or eutrophic lake will have frequent algal blooms and excessive weed beds along
the shoreline. Fish kills are more frequent in these lakes because the low oxygen content is further depleted
as excess plant material is decomposed, especially during winter.
On Manitoba’s prairies, many lakes are eutrophic because of the rich soils in the drainage basin. In northern
and eastern Manitoba, most lakes are mesotrophic or oligotrophic because they are situated on bedrock with
little soil cover to naturally increase nutrient levels. Although Manitoba’s lakes are influenced by naturally
occurring processes, we can help protect and enhance water quality by ensuring our sewage and greywater
water
Eutrophication - A Natural Process
10
does not reach surface waters, by matching nutrient applications with nutrient residuals in soil and crop uptake
needs, by limiting the use of fertilizers on land adjacent to waterbodies, by improving land-use practices and
by using phosphate free cleaning products.
Nutrients in Lake Winnipeg
Excessive concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg are causing gradual changes to occur
in the lake’s water quality and biological communities. Nutrients are directly associated with the production
of nuisance growths of algae - affecting fish habitat, recreation, drinking water quality and clogging fishing
nets. Some nuisance growths of algae can also produce toxins. Nutrients are contributed from virtually all of
our activities across the watershed – human and animal sewage, agricultural and industrial activities, cleaning
products, lawn and garden fertilizers and erosion. The Lake Winnipeg watershed covers an area of almost one
million square kilometres and stretches from the Rockies in Alberta to northwestern Ontario and south into
four American states. The watershed is home to eight million people and 20 million livestock. Many of the
nutrients generated within this large watershed eventually end up in Lake Winnipeg.
Some Nutrients are Toxic
Ammonia, in its un-ionized form, is toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms, depending upon ambient temperature and pH. Groundwater quality is affected by the concentration of available nitrates. High concentrations
of nitrate in drinking water can result in nitrate poisoning, a condition known as blue baby syndrome in infants.
Nitrate is very soluble in water and can move readily through the soil to the groundwater. Potential sources of
nitrate in groundwater include leaky septic systems, animal wastes, industrial wastes and fertilizers applied to
home, cottage and agricultural crop land.
Sewage Disposal
Holding Tanks Best for the Environment
Proper treatment and disposal of sewage is essential for the protection of water quality. Most urban
Manitobans are serviced by municipal wastewater treatment plants. Rural residents use septic fields, holding
tanks or ejectors for sewage disposal. Outhouses may be found on cottage properties. Pump-out systems - like
holding tanks - generally provide the highest level of protection to surface water and groundwater. The sewage
is hauled to a wastewater treatment plant or sewage lagoon and treated before being discharged to the environment. Holding tanks must be checked regularly for leaks.
A septic tank and leaching field is a subsurface system. Household sewage and greywater flow by gravity or
are pumped into the septic tank. In the tank, heavier particles settle to the bottom, while grease and oil rise to
the top. Solids, oil and grease remain in the tank while the liquid effluent flows out into the leaching field.
Microscopic organisms begin to break down the waste before it leaves the septic system. Once it filters into
the ground, the sewage effluent is further broken down by bacteria and organisms in the soil.
Septic systems are effective when they are located in the proper soil type – one that allows the effluent enough
time for treatment before it reaches groundwater or surface water. When the system is improperly installed or
used, it can become a public health and environmental hazard.
Outhouses should be used only for sewage disposal and should be located at least 30 metres from the shoreline. Greywater should be disposed of in a septic field or holding tank. Composting toilets that meet National
Sanitation Foundation (NSF) international standards are another safe alternative.
water
Septic Systems Safe if Used Properly
11
Septic System Problems
Failure to pump out the tank - if your septic tank is not pumped out regularly, the solids may flow into the
leaching field, clogging the bed or backing up into your house.
Overloaded systems - septic fields are often too small for the volume of waste generated, having been designed
before the addition of dishwashers, extra washrooms, or other high water-use appliances. Sewage may pool
above the leaching bed of an overloaded system because the soil is saturated.
Improper installation - when the water table is high or when a field is built with improper fill, the saturated
soil conditions can cause pipes to break or to become blocked.
Treatment failure - septic fields built in coarse, sandy soils may appear to be functioning properly but the effluent may be passing through the soil too quickly for treatment. Contaminants like phosphorus and nitrates will
then enter the groundwater or nearby lakes or rivers, leading to contamination of domestic groundwater supplies or proliferation of algae and other aquatic plants in nearby surface waters.
Signs of Failing Systems
Common symptoms of failing septic systems include:
• unusually green or spongy grass above the leaching field
• offensive odours, particularly after a rain
• slow-draining sinks and toilets, sludge backup into the house
• sewage pooling above the field
What You Can Do
Follow these steps:
• Have your septic tank pumped out regularly by a qualified hauler. Keep a sketch of the location of your
septic system handy for service and repairs.
• Do not drive or park vehicles or erect buildings or decks over the system.
• Plant grass, trees and shrubs downhill from your system - these plants will absorb nutrients,preventing
them from reaching surface waters.
• Practice water conservation to keep from overloading your system. Install water-saving devices, such
as low-flush toilets and low-flow faucet aerators.
• If you’re having a huge crowd to the cottage, say for a wedding, rent a porta-potty instead of stressing
the septic system.
• Dispose of oil, grease and cigarette butts in the garbage and place vegetable scraps and coffee grinds in
your compost. Solid material will clog the field, resulting in costly repairs.
• Keep paint, paint thinners, drain cleaners, pesticides and other chemicals out of your septic system to
protect beneficial microorganisms that break down wastes.
• Use only environmentally sensitive products in your home (see Environmentally Sensitive Choices).
Locate your septic field at least 15 metres from a well and 30 metres from an uncased well.
• Harmful bacteria, viruses, and nitrates from your field could render your drinking water unfit for consumption. Have your drinking water tested if in doubt.
• If your system shows symptoms of failure call a qualified service contractor immediately. This will save
you money in the long run and protect the environment.
water
The life expectancy of a septic system under optimum conditions is about 15 to 25 years. Regular maintenance will keep your system operating properly.
12
Did you know?
• A Gull Lake water quality
study found that septic fields
were a significant source of
nutrients, causing severe
algal blooms, extensive
aquatic weed growth and
fish kills. The Gull Lake
Basin Management Board
worked co-operatively with
the local municipal government to pass a by-law
requiring cottages to convert
from septic fields to holding
tanks. The cost of a
pumpout is less than a hundredth of the cost of a septic
system replacement.
• Manitoba Conservation has
regulations in place controlling the location, installation
and operation of septic systems, holding tanks and outhouses. Call the nearest
Manitoba Conservation
office for more information or
a copy of the regulations.
Algae
Algae range extensively in size and shape, from microscopic single cell
organisms to giant seaweed several metres long. They are an important part
of the aquatic ecosystem, providing food and oxygen to many aquatic organisms. Sometimes algae make drinking and recreational water supplies unusable when they reach nuisance proportions.
What are Algal Blooms?
When algae become very abundant and form floating clumps or scums
along shorelines, they are called algal blooms. The water looks like thick
pea soup and may emit a strong odour. Aphanizomenon, Microcystis and
Anabaena are common types of nuisance blue-green algae found in
Manitoba surface waters.
Causes of Algal Blooms
Algae occur naturally in all surface waters. Algal blooms are common in
many of Manitoba’s lakes, rivers and streams. Nitrogen and phosphorus found in sewage, greywater, animal feces, fertilizers, or silt from land erosion - can lead to excessive algal growth. Heat, a lack of wind and plenty of
sun create optimum conditions for algal growth. Clear water transmits more
light and can support more algae when available nutrients are present.
Potential Problems
Extensive algal blooms can cause a number of problems:
• Reduced recreational appeal - water with a large algal bloom looks murky
and smells foul, making it undesirable for swimming, wading and waterskiing.
• Toxic algae - some species of blue-green algae produce liver and nerve
toxins that can cause illness or death in livestock or pets drinking the
water. People have reported incidents of skin irritation from swimming in
waters with toxic algae. In addition, drinking water containing toxic algae
can cause gastroenteritis, or stomach upset and diarrhea. More serious
long-term health effects may result from long-term exposure through
drinking water. Because they are likely to swallow water while swimming, it is best to keep small children out of the water where algal blooms
are present.
• Drinking water problems - excessive algae in municipal drinking water
supplies can affect the taste and odour. Algal blooms can also increase
water treatment costs by clogging water filters.
Photo by Ron Thiessen
water
• Degraded aquatic habitat - too much algae can result in low oxygen levels in the water when the algae decays, leading to winter and summer fish
kills.
13
Did you know?
• The frequency and intensity of
algal blooms can be reduced by
minimizing the concentrations
of nitrogen and phosphorus in
surface waters. When nitrogen
and phosphorus are applied to
land surfaces in higher amounts
than can be used by growing
plants in a season, they can
runoff into surface water with
heavy rainfall, floods and melting snow.
• If phosphorus levels exceed
0.025 milligrams per litre, a lake
may experience periodic algae
blooms. Typical concentrations
of phosphorus can range from
less than 0.001 milligrams per
litre, as is generally found in
West Hawk Lake, to more than
1.0 milligram per litre, found in
some prairie lakes.
What You Can Do
You can help reduce algal blooms by minimizing the amount of
sewage, greywater, fertilizers and silt that reach surface waters.
• Dispose of domestic sewage and greywater properly. Build your
outhouse or septic field at least 30 metres from surface waters further if the soil is sandy or rocky. If you have waterfront property with water under pressure, consider installing a holding tank
instead of a septic system. Always use low-nutrient cleaning
products and keep greywater and sewage from entering lakes
and rivers.
• Use fertilizers carefully. Do not use fertilizers on land adjacent
to a lake or river. Heavy rains or lawn watering can wash fertilizers off the land into the water where algae will use them to
grow.
• Protect and enhance your shoreline vegetation. Shorelines with
little vegetation are easily eroded and allow nutrient-rich runoff
water to reach surface waters.
• Only laundry detergents must
limit phosphate content to less
than five per cent under federal
legislation. Other household
cleaning products often contain
high amounts of phosphates.
water
• Manitoba Water Stewardship
tested a number of surface
waters in the province and
found liver toxins produced by
bluegreen algae in many lakes
and farm dugouts. Levels in
treated drinking water have, at
times, exceeded guideline levels.
• Increased ultraviolet radiation
resulting from the thinning of
the ozone layer can significantly
affect the growth of algae and
may affect freshwater and
marine food webs. The longterm ecological consequences
of this are not well known.
Photo by Chanda Hunnie
14
Shorelines
horelines are one of the most attractive features of Manitoba’s lakes and rivers. In addition to the view,
shorelines offer people a place to swim, tie a boat or build a dock. Shorelines also provide essential habitat for numerous plants, fish and animals.
S
Causes and Effects of Shoreline Erosion
Owners often remove rocks, trees, and other vegetation from the shoreline to build structures or pathways or
provide access to water for livestock. This can result in shoreline erosion. Excessive wave action created by
using power boats and personal watercraft too close to the shoreline also causes erosion.
Vegetative Buffer Reduces Erosion
A vegetative buffer of trees, shrubs and grasses extending 30 - 50 metres from the waterline provides water quality protection. It prevents erosion by holding soil, provides a wildlife corridor and habitat and shades and cools the
water for aquatic life during the summer months. In addition to stabilizing the shoreline, a well-maintained vegetative zone will filter out sediments, nutrients, pesticides and heavy metals carried by rain and snow-melt runoff.
You can reduce erosion on your property by maintaining a vegetative zone through grading, planting a permanent vegetative cover and improving soil stability. Removing vegetation to improve access or the view, leads
to erosion, gullies and bank slumping. The short-term gains from tilling to the water’s edge are lost when more
land disappears during a heavy rain or snow-melt, or from large waves during storms.
Water Wears Away Sediments
The products of erosion include tiny particles of silt, clay and sand. The settling of these particles is known as
sedimentation. It occurs in locations where slow-moving water loses its ability to transport heavier particles.
The natural rate of erosion can be accelerated by any human activity that increases the rate of water movement
or decreases the physical stability of stream beds and shorelines. Obstructions placed in streams - boat docks,
piers and dams - speed up water flowing around them and increases the energy that can erode the stream bed
or bank. Removing trees, shrubs and rocks from stream banks and shorelines, and tilling fields or gardens close
to the water’s edge can also increase the risk of erosion.
Land drainage is often necessary but the design of the project must fully incorporate all hydrological considerations.
Construction techniques to reduce erosion of the drain include the use of in-stream baffles or rapids made with rocks
to reduce erosive energy that might develop, and grass-covered drains to remove sediments from runoff water.
Physical and Biological Impacts of Erosion
Eroded materials that are deposited in waterbodies range in size from very fine silts and clays to coarse sands and gravel. The results of these deposited materials include increased turbidity or murkiness, the formation of deltas, clogging
of channels, impairment of flows with an increased risk of flooding and the premature infilling of lakes and ponds.
These physical impacts can sometimes be remedied, but dredging and other forms of channel clearing are costly.
Erosion of waterfront properties can mean substantial losses for more than just the property owner. As erosion
reduces the value and productivity of land, sediments reduce the value and change the biological productivity
in water.
shorelines
Moving water has considerable potential to cause erosion - the gradual wearing away of surfaces. Generally, the
faster the water moves, the faster the rate of erosion. Erosion rates also depend upon the nature of the soil. Soils
from sloping lawns and fields, stream banks and stream beds are all susceptible to erosion by flowing water.
15
• Flood-reduction
drainage projects can
be a major source of
sedimentation in lakes
and other waterbodies.
Biological impacts on fish and other aquatic life are more subtle than physical
ones. Less sunlight penetrates turbid waters, reducing the growth rate of aquatic
plants and algae - the food source for all aquatic organisms including fish.
Northern pike and trout - which rely on their vision to feed - are less able to find
food in turbid waters. Erosion of stream beds and banks and adjacent yards and
fields, directly and indirectly, affects the amount of food available to fish and
other aquatic organisms.
• Erosion of the
Edwards Creek drain
near Dauphin, constructed more than 40
years ago, has
deposited millions of
tonnes of sediment
into Dauphin Lake creating a new delta.
Sedimentation Can Destroy Aquatic Habitats
• Access points to
stream crossings by
cattle, all terrain vehicles and other large
machinery exposes the
stream to land runoff,
carrying silt and pollutants, like herbicides,
pesticides and fertilizers.
Human uses of water can also be affected by erosion. Treatment costs for drinking water escalate when turbidity increases. Also, turbid waters with sediment
build-up in beach areas are less attractive to people for swimming, water-skiing
and boating.
• Altering your shoreline
will affect water quality
for downstream users.
Photo by Ron Thiessen
Sedimentation, especially if erosion occurs on a large scale, or in a very short time
period, can physically affect aquatic organisms. For example, benthic or bottomdwelling organisms, such as clams and caddisfly larvae, can be buried deeply by
sediments. Deposited material may also be unsuitable for habitat. Gravel and pebble bottoms - habitat required by stoneflies and some species of mayflies - can
also be buried by sediments, making them unsuitable for these organisms. Many
fish species, such as walleye, trout, and bass, require coarse sands and gravel for
spawning purposes; such spawning sites are destroyed by sedimentation.
What You Can Do
• Maintain or enhance the vegetative zone. Allow natural vegetation to grow
or plant more trees and shrubs with deep root systems along your shoreline.
This will slow down nutrient rich runoff and help prevent shoreline and bank
erosion. View the Living By Water Project at www.livingbywater.ca or the
book On the Living Edge for more information.
• Hook a rainbarrel up to your eavestroughs. By catching rainfall before it
hits the ground, you can greatly reduce runoff. (For those who only associate runoff with summer rainfall, it also comes in winter and spring, in the
form of snowmelt.) Even temporarily storing rain in a barrel until after a
storm lets up helps reduce erosion. Newer rainbarrels are designed to keep
out mosquitoes so the water won’t become a breeding pool for them.
• Leave large boulders along your shoreline to stabilize it and provide habitat for terrestrial and aquatic organisms, like turtles, waterfowl and fish.
• Re-establish vegetation on steep slopes by holding groundcover seedlings
in place with mulch and loose-weave mesh or burlap.
• Build steps or a ramp for access between the top and bottom of the bank.
• Driftwood and fallen trees at the shoreline provide hiding places, feeding
grounds, and spawning areas for lots of aquatic creatures, such as fish, frogs,
and salamanders. They can also act as a breakwater to prevent erosion.
• Don’t strip the entire waterfront of its aquatic vegetation, which holds sediment in place and provides critical food and shelter for many water
dwellers, from bass to water striders. Instead, designate a small activity
area for swimming, preferably less than two metres wide, and contact your
local government for a work permit before you remove any amount of
aquatic vegetation. Easier still, put a ladder at the end of your dock and
skip the shallows entirely.
shorelines
Did you know?
16
• The Transport
Canada Boating
Restriction
Regulations
require a 30metre band
along shorelines where
power boats are
limited to a
speed of 10
kilometres per
hour. This protects both
shorelines and
swimmers.
• Boats may
affect nesting
waterfowl by
driving adult
birds from their
nests, exposing
eggs or young
to predators.
The Effects of Boating and Docks on
Shorelines
Increased wave action from motor boats and personal water craft, especially in areas
where waves do not naturally occur, will erode shorelines. Eroded sediments may reduce
depth, cloud water and introduce nutrients into the water. The nutrients will increase the
growth of algae and aquatic weeds, reducing the recreational appeal of the lake.
Power boats, including personal water craft, can stir up bottom sediment in shallow
water, causing murky waters and increasing the release of nutrients into the water. Fish
often spawn in the shallow shoreline areas of lakes. Operating these craft too close to
shorelines can destroy spawning areas and disturb waterfowl nests. Out of respect for
your neighbours and wildlife, reduce your speed appropriately.
Building a Boathouse or Dock
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are building a boathouse or dock at
the water’s edge:
What You Can Do
• Opt for a low-impact dock. If you’re ready for a new dock, choose a floating,
pipe, or a cantilever dock, which cause much less disturbance to lakebed habitat
and life than the traditional crib dock. Ideally, choose a design that minimizes
modifications to the shoreline.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada has produced a cottagers guide containing helpful information on how to protect your shoreline and build a dock that meets your
needs. Information is also provided on the approvals that might be required
before you begin to build.
• Place only clean gravel - free from fine materials and organic matter – along the
lakeshore or riverbank.
• When constructing docks, minimize interference with the natural movement of
water and sediment by supporting the structure with piles or floats.
• Use rip-rap (large rocks) to protect banks from erosion.
• Leave as much natural vegetation as possible. When natural disturbances occur,
immediately stabilize and re-vegetate shorelines. Contouring the shape of the
shoreline or using untreated logs or timber with rocks will encourage plant life
to become established.
Photo by Chanda Hunnie
shorelines
Did you know?
17
Wildlife
“getaway” is, of course, what most people want, or profess to want, from a cottage. The idea of stripping oneself of urban clutter, getting closer to nature, remains central to the cottaging mystique. Yet
it’s a principle we seem to be rapidly abandoning – just when we need it most. As increasing numbers
of us pursue the cottage dream, bringing extra pressures to bear on already taxed environments, the case grows
stronger for leaving behind, or minimizing as much as possible, the urban habits that are changing the place
we love. Some cottagers, recognizing that the privilege of owning a piece of waterfront property carries with
it an obligation to act as stewards of that land, are taking small but significant steps to reduce their impact.
A
The Special Role of the Landowner
Whatever land holdings you possess, there is a great deal you can do to make your land a haven for wildlife.
• On forest land, link forest patches with corridors of trees and shrubs to allow wildlife to move under
cover. Remember to use native species. Our songbirds take more readily to a familiar thicket of native
dogwood or willow than to introduced, exotic species such as weeping mulberry. Native species provide food as well as cover, and are not as likely to dominate other native plants as introduced species
often do.
• When cleaning up your property, think about how wildlife might use it. Rabbits, rodents, and birds will
use brush piles for cover. Manage your woodlot with wildlife in mind. For example, standing dead trees
or “snags” play a wide variety of wildlife roles. Insects live in the wood; fungi break it down. Fungi
and insects provide food for other creatures. Pileated Woodpeckers will visit the snag to feast on the
insects or make nesting holes. These, in turn, eventually become homes for cavity-nesters like other
woodpeckers, Wood Ducks, flying squirrels, and raccoons. Even after the tree falls, it has an important
role to play for wildlife: salamanders, small rodents, and a variety of invertebrates and other organisms
will live under it. Ants will live in it. If the tree falls over a stream, it will provide shade and cover for
fish.
• Because old trees are still wrongly considered useless and inherently dangerous by many people, there
can be a shortage of snags for wildlife in some areas. Nest boxes provide a short-term solution to this
problem, replacing the nesting cavities that snags would provide. Eastern Bluebird and Wood Duck
populations have come back in North America thanks to hundreds of landowners who provided nest
boxes for them. You can also put out boxes for chickadees, wrens, and kestrels; roosting boxes for bats;
and posts with platforms for raptors. The long-term solution is the preservation of a mixture of healthy,
dying, and dead trees in managed forests and elsewhere, as long as the snags are not a hazard to people or property.
• If you provide bird feeders or nest boxes be sure to thoroughly clean them periodically. Hummingbird
feeders should be checked and cleaned frequently as the sugary syrup may ferment into alcohol and
cause liver cirrhosis. Feeding ducks breadcrumbs is a popular pastime, but remember that ducks eating
bread will feel full and not seek more nutritious food. Ducks have died of malnutrition from eating
bread instead of the aquatic plants and invertebrates that are their natural diet.
• Finally, there is a growing land trust movement in Canada, in which landowners agree not to develop
their land, but to leave it in a natural state. If there is a land trust movement in your area, you could join
it. If not, consider starting one. Since 1995, over 200 Canadians have donated lands and conservation
easements valued at $25 million to conservation organizations under the National Ecological Gifts
Program administered by Environment Canada.
wildlife
What You Can Do
18
People and Wildlife
Cottages are often built on lands that are home to wildlife so it is important to
maintain the health of the environment to insure that wildlife do not become a
problem. Keeping surrounding natural habitats intact minimizes the need for
wildlife to seek shelter or food from the residences of their human neighbours.
Responsible waste disposal and clean-up will also help to prevent property damage and eliminate potential dangerous encounters with wildlife.
Black Bears
Much of a bear’s behaviour is governed by its search for food. To satisfy its insatiable
appetite, it will cover different parts of its home range at different times of the year,
depending on the availability of food. Most young black bears have no established
home ranges and are often forced into less preferred habitat by older, more dominant
bears. When natural foods are in short supply or when there is high recruitment, bears
may be forced to venture beyond their home or maternal ranges. During their travels,
they are more likely to come upon garbage and foods left at improperly maintained
campsites, residences, garbage cages and landfills.
Non-natural foods, such as human garbage and birdfeed, become attractive to
bears because they are high quality foods that require little effort to acquire. A
bear that learns to associate human activity with something to eat becomes
"food-conditioned," and may select for people’s food or garbage because of its
availability and predictability. A bear that is repeatedly exposed to humans at
close range without experiencing negative consequences, learns to tolerate people at these distances and becomes "habituated." Bears that are both "habituated" and "food-conditioned" are the most likely to be a problem, and may, on
occasion, become aggressive.
• Learn about black bears, their ecology, behaviour, food habits and habitat use.
• Do not feed birdseed or liquid sugar to birds from late April through
October.
• Never put meat, fish, bones or seafood shells in the compost. (Store them
in the freezer until you are ready to dispose of them). Turn compost often
to prevent odours.
• Although composting correctly will not attract bears or other wildlife, you
may want to consider composting indoors. If you’re at your cottage at
least every other weekend, you can compost your food scraps indoors,
using worms. They create beautiful compost in special “vermicomposting” containers that emit little or no smell, so they aren’t a wildlife attractant. However, the hardworking worms need to be fed a minimum of once
every two weeks. For more information on composting contact Resource
Conservation Manitoba at www.resourceconservation.mb.ca.
• Keep barbeque grills clean and free of grease. Store it in a shed if possible.
• Make sure garbage containers have secure lids and are emptied frequently. This will keep other animals such as skunks and raccoons from becoming a problem.
• Do not leave food at the cottage that may spoil when you are not there.
Inspect all windows and doors to make sure they are locked and secure.
Photo by Ron Thiessen
wildlife
What You Can Do
19
Did you know?
• Aquatic plants do not attract
leeches or act as breeding
grounds for mosquitoes.
Leeches prefer soft sediments in shallow, calm water
and will be in these areas
whether or not plants are
present. Mosquito larvae
cannot survive the intense
predation by fish and aquatic
insects in aquatic plant
stands.
• Utricularia or bladderworts,
are common in Manitoba
waters. These submerged
carnivorous plants trap and
consume small insects and
aquatic animals that they
trap in their tiny bladders.
Aquatic Plants
The Importance of Aquatic Plants
Aquatic plants are a natural and important part of the aquatic ecosystem.
They provide excellent habitat for fish, aquatic insects and terrestrial
wildlife. They are an important constituent in the diet of muskrats and
moose and are a source of food and nesting material for waterfowl. Aquatic
plants help prevent turbidity - cloudy, silty water – by stabilizing lake sediments. They also protect shorelines from excessive erosion by absorbing
the force of wave action. These plants use up large amounts of nutrients,
reducing the amount available for algal growth and they absorb potentially
toxic substances – like mercury and lead - improving water quality.
Problems Caused by Too Many Aquatic Plants
Excessive growth of aquatic plants in recreational waterbodies and drinking water reservoirs can create a number of problems, including:
• swimming nuisances - excessive aquatic plant growth in shallow water
discourages swimming and interferes with activities along shorelines and
beaches.
• boating difficulties - plants clog motorboat propellers and interfere with
sailboat centreboards.
• less appealing drinking water - aquatic plant decomposition can lead to
foul odour, taste and discolouration of drinking water, making more
advanced water treatment necessary.
• less dissolved oxygen in the water for fish - a result of the decomposition of excessive amounts of aquatic plants.
• dense aquatic plant growth in small streams and drains - can impede
water flow and contribute to flooding.
What You Can Do
• Disrupt as few aquatic plants as possible - remember that they provide essential habitat for fish and waterfowl.
• Don’t use herbicides in lakes and rivers - it is illegal.
• Consider the role that aquatic plants play as home to waterfowl, fish,
amphibians and aquatic insects.
• Don’t soap in the lake, ever. Even if a soap says it’s phosphate-free
and biodegradable, don’t assume it’s safe for the lake. The soap can
be harmful to fish and other aquatic animals; all “biodegradable”
means is that it’s capable of breaking down (with the help of soil bacteria) into its constituent parts. However, do use this type of soap if
bathing on land, and dump the washwater well back from the lake, so
it doesn’t filter down as runoff. For more information on “guilt-free
soap” visit the Cottage Life website at www.cottagelife.com.
Photo by Chanda Hunnie
wildlife
High densities of aquatic plants may be an indicator of water quality problems. If your lake or river has too many plants, it may mean that there is too
much nitrogen and phosphorus entering the water. Check to see which of
the following nutrient sources you can control: fertilizers, sewage, greywater, pet feces, cleaning products or shoreline erosion.
20
• In Manitoba, there are about 90 families (large groupings of organisms with similar characteristics) of insects
with at least one aquatic or semi-aquatic species.
• The open seas and oceans are the only habitat
where aquatic insects are virtually non-existent.
• There are over 300 species of midges in Manitoba,
most of which have aquatic larvae. Midges sometimes resemble mosquitoes in size and body-form,
but do not bite. On the other hand, there are only 45
species of mosquitoes in Manitoba, most of which
will bite humans.
• Giant swarms of midges which look like grey smoke,
can sometimes be seen along the shores of Lake
Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba. These swarms provide food for local and migrating birds.
• Only female mosquitoes, blackflies, horse flies and
deer flies take a blood meal. They require the protein
from blood to produce eggs.
• Some biting flies (horseflies, deer flies and stable
flies) have a more painful bite than others because
of the structure of their mouth parts and how they
obtain a blood meal.
• Dragonflies are predators as adults and nymphs.
The adults hunt and capture their prey on the wing,
scooping-up other insects with their front legs. The
nymphs stalk their prey along the water bottom.
When disturbed, the nymphs ‘jet propel’ themselves
through the water by contracting large muscles forcing water out of their rectum.
• The larvae of hover flies (those flies that seem to
suspend themselves in air and resemble a bee) can
live in polluted water because they breathe surface
air through a long retractable siphon. These larvae
are commonly called rattailed maggots.
• There are at least 150 species of caddisflies in
Manitoba. The larvae of some species construct
cases around their bodies from materials like sand
grains, sticks, leaves and stems, held together with
silk. Caddisflies can frequently be seen walking on
submerged plants or rocks, carrying their cases.
• Although they are not insects but crustaceans, water
fleas act as ‘water lawn mowers’ often controlling the
abundance of algae in surface waters.
Aquatic Insects
Most of us have come in contact with insects such as
mayflies, mosquitoes, water boatmen and diving beetles,
which spend some or most of their life cycle in the aquatic environment. They can be found in lakes, rivers,
streams, dugouts, wetlands and even in the water-filled
leaves of the carnivorous pitcher plant.
Aquatic insects occupy a variety of habitats. They live in
bottom sediments, swim freely through the water column,
attach themselves to submerged rocks and vegetation or
walk on the water’s surface. Although extremely well
adapted to water, they depend directly on the terrestrial
environment for at least part of their life cycle.
All aquatic insects require oxygen to survive. Those
spending their immature stages as larvae or nymphs in
the water must obtain oxygen through their skin or gills.
Once these insects develop into adults, they breathe surface air through respiratory tubes at their posterior end or
by capturing and swimming with an air bubble under
their body, similar to scuba divers.
Some aquatic insects, like mayflies, midges, horseflies
and caddisflies, emerge as adults in enormous abundance usually because of appropriate environmental
conditions (such as temperature and light), foods that are
seasonally available (such as plants or other insects),
and/or to avoid adverse physical conditions (such as
drought or low oxygen levels).
Aquatic insects are essential in the food chain, both in the
water and on land. They are food sources for predatory
insects, invertebrates, fish, bats and birds. They also help
decompose vegetation.
Insects as Indicators of Aquatic
Health
The abundance and diversity of aquatic insects are an important indicator of the health of the aquatic environment.
Generally, the greater the number of insect and invertebrate
species in a particular area of a lake or reach of a river, the
healthier the environment. For example, if too much sediment
enters the aquatic environment, invertebrate species unable to
tolerate these conditions will disappear. This information has
been used to develop indices that can reflect ecosystem health.
These are being used by Manitoba Water Stewardship to evaluate site-specific conditions.
What You Can Do
Aquatic insects rely on relatively undisturbed aquatic habitat. You can provide a diverse habitat for the insects by maintaining a healthy population of aquatic vegetation, putting rocks in riffles and leaving some fallen tree stumps in the water.
wildlife
Did you know?
21
• Manitoba surface waters support more than 90 species of
fish.
• Lake sturgeon - Manitoba’s largest fish - have been around
for thousands of years. Female sturgeon reach sexual maturity after about 25 years and can live up to 150 years.
• If you wear wet wool gloves while handling fish, you can help
reduce the damage to the fish’s protective slime layer.
• The Red River supports a world class channel catfish fishery.
Fishing
Many Manitobans enjoy fishing for
both food and recreation. Whether
angling from shore or boat, anglers can
do their part to ensure a healthy water
environment and the health of the
species.
What You Can Do
• Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is generally
found in low concentrations in air, water and soil.
Consequently, mercury residues are naturally present to
some degree in plant, fish, animal and human tissues.
• Use only live bait that has been
obtained from a licensed
Manitoba bait dealer or catch
your own in designated areas.
• The long-term flooding of land, due to natural circumstances
or human developments like hydroelectric or flood-protection
dams, often leads to elevated mercury levels in the water.
Naturally occurring mercury released from soils and rocks is
converted by microorganisms to a form more easily absorbed
by fish and other aquatic life.
• Clean fish in a designated area
and discard fish remains in the
trash.
• Consumption guidelines have been developed for mercury in
fish from some of the major southern and northern lakes and
rivers. Southern waters include the Assiniboine, Little
Saskatchewan, Pembina, Plum, Red, Souris and Winnipeg
river systems. Northern waters include the Churchill, Nelson,
Rat and Saskatchewan river systems. This information may
be obtained from Manitoba Water Stewardship.
• Predatory fish, such as walleye and northern pike, will usually
have higher mercury residues than bottom or insect feeding
species, such as whitefish or goldeye. Lower mercury
residues usually occur in the smaller and younger fish of a
species.
• Other metal residues in fish - arsenic, chromium, cadmium,
copper, lead, nickel, zinc and selenium - are found to be
within normal ranges in Manitoba fish and do not pose a
health risk to people.
• Contaminants, such as PCBs and residues from insecticides
like DDT, have not exceeded existing guidelines for commercial sale of fish for human consumption in Canada. Since the
banning of PCB production in North America in 1978, traces of
PCB residues have declined.
• Children under 15 and women of child-bearing age should
only eat fish with a mercury concentration of 0.5 micrograms
or less per gram of fish flesh and follow advice from the consumption guidelines on acceptable. amounts.
• Always discard fishing line in
the trash. Most lines do not
decay and can injure fish, birds
and other wildlife that get tangled in the line.
• Ensure that six-pack plastic rings
and metal drink can tabs are
placed in the trash-these can also
injure fish and other wildlife.
• Practice selective harvest and
catch-and-release fishing.
• When fishing in Manitoba, refer
to the consumption guide for
recreationally angled fish to
determine allowable limits for
eating due to mercury. Those
fish not recommended for consumption should be released
unharmed.
• If you are a hunter or angler, use
non-lead shot and fishing gear so
birds ingesting spent shot or lost
sinkers will not be poisoned by
lead. Follow the regulations
regarding seasons and catch limits and report poachers through
your provincial or territorial
wildlife agency or the RCMP or
Crime-stoppers.
wildlife
Did you know?
22
• One female zebra mussel can produce up to one
million eggs each year.
• The rainbow smelt was first found in Lake
Winnipeg in 1990. It has now spread throughout
the Nelson River and as far as Hudson Bay.
• The zebra mussel was first introduced into Lake
St. Clair in the Great Lakes around 1986. Within
10 years, zebra mussels had invaded the Hudson
River in New York, the St. Lawrence River near
Quebec City, the Mississippi River at New
Orleans and a tributary of the Arkansas River in
Oklahoma.
• Live zebra mussels have been found attached to
boats at inspection stations in California. The
boats were being transported from the Great
Lakes – a distance of over 1,000 kilometres.
Zebra mussels can live out of water for up to 12
days, depending on the temperature and humidity.
• Results of a survey conducted at Manitoba and
northwestern Ontario border crossings showed
93 per cent of the vehicles with boats came from
places with zebra mussels. Although five per cent
of the boats had been in waters with zebra mussels in the previous five days, no zebra mussels
were found on them. Ninety-three per cent of the
boaters knew that zebra mussels were present in
their jurisdiction of origin.
• Since the 1800s, at least 136 exotic species have
been introduced into the Great Lakes. About 37
per cent were unintentionally released and 32 per
cent were brought in with ship ballast water.
• Float planes and scuba divers’ wet suits can also
inadvertently transfer zebra mussels.
• Until a few years ago, plant nurseries were still
selling hybrid cultivars of purple loosestrife.
Purple loosestife is a weed that chokes out native
wetland vegetation, creating a dense purple landscape inhospitable to many species of wildlife.
Recent research has shown that the hybrids will
crosspollinate with wild strains and cause further
spread.
Invasions of Exotic
Species
A Form of Biological Pollution
Exotic species are organisms accidentally or intentionally introduced into habitats where they are not
naturally found. World-wide, they have caused damage to aquatic habitat, loss of species diversity and
costly damage to drinking water supplies and recreational waters. Approximately 90 per cent of those
organisms that are accidentally introduced do not survive. However, the surviving 10 per cent often thrive
in the new habitat because of ample food supplies,
limited competition for space and other resources,
few natural predators and limited natural parasites
and diseases.
Exotic species intentionally introduced - like the common carp and purple loosestrife - often have unexpected detrimental impacts. Bottom-feeding carp have
stirred up sediments in the Delta Marsh, on the south
shore of Lake Manitoba, reducing aquatic plant
growth. Purple loosestrife has choked out much of the
natural shoreline vegetation along portions of the
Assiniboine River. Exotic species are a form of biological pollution, and can be as disruptive to ecosystems as chemical pollution.
While zebra mussels have not invaded Manitoba,
they have caused millions of dollars of damage in the
Great Lakes including clogging water intakes, severely reducing recreation at beach areas, and reducing
species of algae and microscopic aquatic animals that
are important in the food web.
Species Threatening to Invade
A number of exotic species have already invaded
Manitoba or are located in nearby waters and have the
potential to invade and thrive in Manitoba. Exotics
already in Manitoba include the wetland plants purple
loosestrife and flowering rush, and the fish species
common carp and rainbow smelt. Exotic mollusks,
crustaceans, fish and aquatic plants poised to invade
Manitoba include zebra and quagga mussels, spiny
water flea, rusty crayfish, round goby, tubenose goby,
white perch, ruffe, curly-leaf pondweed and Eurasian
water-milfoil, and others.
wildlife
Did you know?
23
What You Can Do
Boats are the major mode of transportation for zebra mussels and other
exotic aquatic species. Boaters, anglers, water-skiers, scuba divers,
sailors, float plane pilots and canoeists need to take the following important precautions to prevent the accidental transport of exotic species
from one lake or river to another or from neighbouring jurisdictions to
Manitoba:
• Inspect your boat, motor, trailer and boating equipment, such as
anchor, centreboards, rollers and axles. Remove all visible zebra
mussels and other plants and animals before leaving any waterbody. Drain water from the motor, live well, bilge and transom
wells onto land before leaving the area.
• Wash or dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer, and other boating equipment to kill harmful species that were not visible at the
boat launch. Since some aquatic species can survive more than two
weeks out of water, it is important to:
- Rinse your boat and any equipment that normally gets wet, with
hot tap water, 40°C or more.
- Spray your boat and trailer with high pressure water - at least
250 pounds of pressure per square inch.
- Dry your boat and trailer in the sun for at least five days before
transporting them to another body of water.
• Learn to recognize zebra mussels and other exotic species. If you
suspect that zebra mussels or other species have spread to a new
location, report it to your local Manitoba Water Stewardship or
Manitoba Conservation office.
wildlife
• Never release live bait or unwanted aquarium fish into lakes or
rivers and never release aquatic animals from one waterbody into
another.
24
Cottage &
Property
ew people have a better opportunity to observe the effects of human
activities and pollution on the wilderness than cottagers, many of
whom return each year to the same location and whose knowledge of
the local area may have been passed down by previous generations. With
over half a million cottages across Canada, cottagers, as a group, can have
quite a positive or negative impact on the environment.
What You Can Do In General
• Keep your domestic animals under control. Respect local leash laws.
Dogs running free can harass and kill wildlife. A bell around the neck
of an outdoor cat gives birds more of a chance. Domestic cats kill
millions of songbirds a year.
• Use cars less. Cars pollute. As well, a lot of wild animals are killed
trying to cross busy highways.
• Buy food grown without herbicides and pesticides. This supports
farmers whose land is the most “wildlife friendly.” Buy other “green”
goods, such as ecocertified lumber and papers, for the same reason.
• Reuse or recycle your plastic products and avoid products with disposable plastic packaging. Animals have been known to die after swallowing plastic debris or becoming entangled in plastic six-pack holders.
• Participate in the land-use planning process in your community to
ensure that wildlife habitat, especially habitat for endangered species,
is protected.
• Teach others what you know.
Environmentally Friendly
Landscape Practices
Lawn and Garden
The cottage epitomizes the nature lovers dream. It is a place of captivating beauty where you can spend time amidst the wonders of the natural landscape. Not
only is a lush landscaped lawn contrary to this appeal, but often, due to the
nature of the landscape and soil, lawns and gardens at the cottage are often
impractical. Instead, maintain the area’s natural allure by supporting the reestablishment of native species or by leaving unaffected area naturally vegetated. The
Naturescape Manitoba book can help you to landscape with nature in mind.
If you do have a lawn or garden, consider reducing its area. Here are additional things you should know.
Photo by Ron Thiessen
cottage & property
F
Did you know?
Responsible Fertilizer Use
• A typical garden hose can
use 180 litres of water in just
five minutes.
Most commercial fertilizers are man-made and easy to use because the
amount of nutrients being applied is known; however, they do not enhance
the organic content of the soil. Most synthetic fertilizers are water soluble
and may leach out of the soil. Organic fertilizers, such as manure, are beneficial because they increase the organic matter and help hold moisture in
the soil. However, too heavy an application of any fertilizer, synthetic or
natural, can burn plants. Applying more nutrients that can not be absorbed
by the plant may result in excess fertilizer entering surface water or leaching to groundwater.
• Organic or natural fertilizers,
such as manure is beneficial
only if used properly; overapplication can be just as
detrimental to groundwater
and surface water as the
over-application of inorganic
or man-made fertilizers.
• Up to 30 per cent of the
waste produced by each
householder can be composted in the backyard,
reducing domestic waste
and extending the lives of
landfill sites.
Soil composition is an important consideration when applying fertilizers to
enhance plant growth. Heavy clay soils will retain more fertilizer than
sandy, silty soils. Homeowners with lawns on the edge of a stream, river or
lake need to take special care to prevent fertilizers from entering surface
water where they will encourage nuisance plant growth and may cause fish
kills. In Whiteshell Provincial Park, the thin layer of soil covering the
bedrock cannot hold much fertilizer, therefore it eventually leaches to surface waters.
Various landscaping techniques are available to keep fertilizer from draining off your property into surface waters. A vegetative buffer of trees, bushes, shrubs and natural grasses will minimize natural disturbance of soil,
slow surface runoff and filter sediments and nutrients before they reach the
lake or stream.
Don’t Use Pesticides
Pesticides are toxic chemicals used to eliminate or control unwanted
insects, plants or other organisms.
Pesticide use can be toxic to both beneficial and nuisance insects and plants.
Pesticides can also leach through the soil and end up in groundwater and
surface water. Once in lakes and streams, they may become a threat to
aquatic life. Some chemicals bioaccumulate or become more concentrated
through the food chain, resulting in long-term negative effects to animals
such as an inability to successfully reproduce. In addition, fish and wildlife
may accumulate concentrations of toxins making them unsuitable for
human consumption.
Alternative Fertilizers and Pesticides
Fertilizers:
• Well-rotted manure - livestock waste adds organic material, opens up soil
to air and helps retain water.
• Compost - rotted plant material adds rich organic material to soil and
planting beds.
• Mulch - bark chips, straw, leaves or grass clippings smothers weeds,
helps retain soil moisture and maintains warm soil temperature.
cottage & property
25
26
Did you know?
Pesticides:
Environment Canada and
Health Canada have identified
many hazardous chemical substances in wood smoke, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Beneficial insects and insect-eating birds - maintaining a balance of
predator and prey is essential to a pest and pesticide-free landscape.
• Manual maintenance - remove insects by hand.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) –
CO can reduce the blood’s
ability to supply necessary
oxygen to the body’s tissues, which can cause
stress to the heart. When
inhaled at higher levels, CO
may cause fatigue,
headaches, dizziness,
nausea, confusion and
• Use fertilizers sparingly; use fertilizers in multiple applications rather
than one large application.
• Compost kitchen and garden wastes to provide a natural supplement
to yards and gardens.
• Xeriscape your yard - it requires less pesticide, fertilizer, water and
maintenance. Put plants with similar water needs together, use compost and manure to improve water retention and percolation in soil,
irrigate efficiently, reduce lawn area; choose native plants or those
from similar zones and use mulches to reduce surface evaporation of
water.
• Encourage beneficial insects (and insect-eating birds too) by promoting natural habitats.
• Do not use bug zappers as they will kill beneficial insects which are
important to a pest-free landscape.
• Pull weeds and pick harmful insects off your plants.
• Avoid using railway ties for landscaping or dock construction.
Railway ties are generally treated with creosote, which is a mixture
of toxic chemicals. These chemicals can leach into the soil or water
and are toxic to plants and people.
Understanding Health and
Heating with Wood
Many Canadians use wood to heat their homes or to simply enjoy a wood
fire, but burning wood can also release pollutants into the air we breathe
when poor burning techniques are used. Wood smoke contains harmful pollutants that can trigger coughs, headaches and eye and throat irritation.
They also contribute to increased incidences of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and days lost from school and work – even in otherwise
healthy people.
Wood-smoke emissions can be reduced, indoors and out, by learning to
burn more efficiently and improving your wood-burning practices.
Replacing your existing wood burner with a new-technology appliance that
meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Canadian
Standards Association (CSA) emissions standards can help to further
reduce the emissions of pollutants by up to 90 percent. These advanced
appliances burn the smoke inside the stove, resulting in less air pollution
with the added benefits of more heat to your home and a safer system.
cottage & property
• PM10 (inhalable particulate
matter less than 10 microns
in diameter) – PM10, which
consists of a mixture of
microscopic particles of varied size and composition,
has been declared a toxic
substance under the
Canadian Environmental
Protection Act. These particles originate from both natural and human-related
sources and activities. They
can be inhaled deep into the
lungs, leading to serious respiratory problems. Several
recent community health
studies indicate that significant problems are associated with exposure to respirable particulate matter.
These include premature
death, hospital admissions
from respiratory causes and
increased respiratory symptoms. Children, the elderly
and people with cardiovascular disease or lung diseases such as emphysema
and asthma are especially
vulnerable.
What You Can Do
27
disorientation and, at very
high levels, lead to unconsciousness and death. Fire
Prevention Canada advises
that CO detectors be
installed in every home that
has a combustion appliance
or an attached garage. CO
detectors must be maintained regularly, just as you
would a smoke detector.
• Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) –
NOx can lower the resistance to lung infections. In
particular, nitrogen dioxide
can cause shortness of
breath and irritate the upper
airways, especially in people
with lung diseases such as
emphysema and asthma.
• Hydrocarbons (HC) – HC
can damage the lungs.
• Volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) – VOCs can cause
respiratory irritation and illness. Some VOCs emitted
by wood-burning appliances,
coughing, headaches and
eye irritation and can act as
a trigger for people with
asthma.
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – Prolonged
exposure to PAHs is believed
to pose a cancer risk.
• Dioxins and furans – Some
dioxins and furans are carcinogenic.
• Acrolein – Acrolein can
cause eye and respiratory
tract irritation.
Reducing Pollution and Improving Efficiency
What You Can Do
• Burn small, hot fires – they produce much less smoke than ones that
are left to smoulder.
• Burn seasoned wood – burning “green” or wet wood produces significantly more smoke. Firewood should be seasoned for at least six months.
• Split wood into pieces that are 10–15 cm (4–6 in) in diameter. Fires
burn better with more surface area exposed to the flame.
• Never burn garbage, plastics, cardboard or Styrofoam. Burning
garbage releases poisons.
• Never burn wood that has been taken from salt water. Chlorine combines with the smoke to produce dioxins and furans, which are dangerous carcinogens.
• Burning treated or painted wood, particleboard or plywood represents a
health hazard. Wood treated with varnishes and sealants, wood from
orchards sprayed with pesticides and pressure-treated wood may contain
toxic chemicals. Burning treated wood may release these toxic chemicals
into the environment in the smoke or in the ash that is disposed of later.
• Store wood outside, off the ground and covered. Bring it into your home
as needed. The excess moisture found in green wood increases the relative humidity of the indoor air, which can lead to mould and mildew
growth. Both can cause severe allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
• Use a high-efficiency wood stove, fireplace or insert that is certified
as low emission by the EPA, a standard accepted in Canada. These
wood-burning appliances burn most of the smoke right in the firebox
and can cut emissions by up to 90 percent.
• Reduce your heating needs by making your house more energy efficient.
• Regardless of the type of wood-burning appliance, it should be
installed by professionals and inspected and cleaned at least once a
year by a technician certified under the Wood Energy Technical
Training (WETT) Program or, in Quebec, the Association des professionnels du chauffage (APC). These certified installers and chimney
sweeps have gone through a rigorous training program that is recognized by the industry and by government.
Shrink Your Cottage Energy Bill
Most of us don’t realize that hydroelectric power generation has such a significant effect on our lakes, rivers, and streams. Hydroelectric dams flood
land area and alter ecosystems such as wildlife habitat. Efficient energy use
should be practiced at home and at the cottage. Here are some ways to
reduce your cottage energy consumption.
cottage & property
Did you know?
28
• Retire that old beer fridge It’s been great for your overflow beer stash, but that ancient fridge in the
boathouse is sucking more than four times the electricity of a newer, energy-efficient model, and costing you almost $130 a year. Be a greener beer drinker and retire the clunker. At the very least, unplug
it between visits and definitely over winter. As for the kitchen fridge, another energy hog if it’s 10 or
more years old, keep it out of the sun, away from the stove, and in an area that allows air to circulate
to improve its efficiency. Also check the door seal: If it isn’t tight enough to hold a piece of paper in
place when closed, repair or replace it
• Beware the phantom load Some electrical devices that use a remote control, like televisions, DVD players, or stereos, or use an adaptor, such as computers, continue to steal power after they’re turned off.
Unplug these or hook them into a power bar with a switch so you can really turn them off when not in use.
• Switch the cottage wattage Even the few table lamps and overhead lights that illuminate the corners
of your cottage would cost a lot less to you and the environment if you switched from incandescent
bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. They last up to 10 times longer and use about one-quarter the electricity. Turn off inside lights and other electrical equipment whenever you leave the cottage.
• Don’t be a night polluter Floodlights and other high-wattage outdoor bulbs are not only energy eaters,
they are inappropriate at the cottage. They cause light pollution on our lakes, messing up the mating and
feeding behaviour of wildlife, reducing boaters’ ability to see navigation lights, and stealing our view of
the stars. Replace them with low-wattage lamps; and turn them off unless you really need them.
• Hold the heat in hot water Wrap your hot water tank in an insulating jacket, available at most hardware stores. When you’re away for the week, turn down the setting from “hot” to “warm” or “low.” Or
get rid of the tank entirely for an on-demand system, which heats water only when required.
• Put the kettle on Keep a kettle full of water on the woodstove. Even if you don’t use it, water has a
high heat capacity and will continue to warm (and humidify) the room after the stove has gone out.
• Listen to Charlotte When sealing up cracks in the cottage, keep an eye out for spider webs. Spiders
like to weave them in the path of airflow (a.k.a. air leaks) to catch insects.
• Plant a tree or two Green giants are great insulators of the cottage. Plant deciduous trees on the south
and west sides of the cottage, to provide shade in summer and let sun inside throughout the winter.
Conifers on the north and northwest sides block cold winds in winter with their thick evergreen boughs.
• Hang curtains or blinds And keep them closed as much as is practical – they help hold cool or warm air
inside (and they’re much better at preventing bird-window collisions than bird silhouettes). In the winter, curtains on south-facing windows should be opened during the day to let the sun in and closed at night to keep
the heat in. Insulated curtains, such as window quilts, are an excellent way to increase your heat efficiency.
More Energy-Savers
• Paddle a canoe or kayak, row a boat, or sail a windsurfer or sailboat instead of using a powerboat to travel on
the lake or river. These activities are quieter so they don’t disturb wildlife, and they increase your chances of
seeing wildlife. Remember that loud noises in winter disturb animals at a time when they need to rest and
conserve energy.
• Buy four-stroke engines if purchasing an off-road vehicle or outboard motor. Four-stroke engines are more
efficient and produce fewer emissions than two-stroke engines.
• Save electricity by turning off lights and other electrical equipment when you leave the cottage after a visit,
and shut down the system, if possible, at the end of the season.
• Use fluorescent lighting or long-life bulbs instead of incandescent lights to save on replacement costs and
energy bills.
• Purchase equipment with automatic power-saving devices.
• Use solar energy panels, if possible.
• Replace your old “airtight” and “potbellied” woodstove with a safer, more efficient, and less polluting U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)-approved woodstove.
cottage & property
What You Can Do
29
Household Hazardous
Waste
There are many products used in, and around our homes, cottages, garages, boats and cars that may not look hazardous,
but can injure people or damage the environment if improperly used or disposed. Hazardous products are those that contain chemicals considered toxic to humans, aquatic life,
wildlife, or have other harmful properties, like high flammability.
• household bleach, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, furniture
polishes, aerosol spray cans
• oil-based paint, wood stains and preservatives, turpentine,
paint strippers, solvents
• pesticides - weedkillers and bug sprays
• gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil, antifreeze, transmission
and brake fluid, car batteries
The Damage They Do
Products containing lye, phenols, petroleum distillates and
trichlorobenzene are toxic. These products should never be poured
down drains, storm sewers, nor placed in the garbage. When they
reach our streams, rivers, and lakes, they can kill or cause chronic
problems, such as cancers, lesions and infertility in aquatic wildlife.
Hazardous household cleaners can disrupt the natural biological processes taking place in a septic system. In addition, not
all of the toxins in sewage hauled from a holding tank or
flushed down the toilet into a sewer system will be removed at
a sewage treatment facility. Proper disposal can minimize the
amount of contaminants reaching our rivers, lakes, streams
and groundwater.
Antifreeze should never be poured on the ground where it
can poison pets and wildlife and potentially contaminate surface water and groundwater.
Proper Disposal
Many hazardous household products can be disposed of at
hazardous household waste depots or are now being accepted in organized recycling events held throughout the city. If
you throw them in the garbage, toxic waste accumulates at
landfill sites.
Photo by Ron Thiessen
cottage & property
Examples of Hazardous Household
Products
30
• Avoid purchasing products that are toxic and hazardous.
• If you must purchase toxic products, buy only the amount you need, read the label carefully and use the
product only as directed.
• Keep unused products in their original containers so the label can be referred to for product use and disposal.
• Store hazardous products in a safe place and handle them with care.
• Take items such as old batteries and used oil to the proper waste disposal facility and not to the landfill.
• Keep sawdust, cat litter or another absorbent material handy in case of an accidental spill.
• Use hazardous chemicals far from wells, cisterns or waterbodies.
• When you need to top up gas tanks, such as chainsaws, generators, pumps, and boat engines, do it well
back from shore, preferably over a tray and in a shelter with a hard floor.
• Use a non-toxic antifreeze for winterizing your boat since this gets discharged on your first launch.
• Wash your boat on dry land only; avoid using harsh cleaners, soaps, or detergents.
• Never pour household chemicals down the drain, storm sewer or on the ground.
• Find out if your community has a program for the disposal of hazardous materials; if it does not, suggest your local government start one.
• See if your neighbour can use your leftover hazardous household products or exchange those products
at community events, like paint swaps.
• Some used building supply stores will also accept partial cans of paint and other products.
• Miller Environmental Corporation, a hazardous waste company, holds Hazardous Household Waste
Days for Winnipeg homeowners to discard unwanted toxic chemicals.
• Some municipal waste disposal grounds recycle hazardous materials. Miller Environmental
Corporation holds over 10 recycling events in rural Manitoba every year. Check with your localrecycling program or municipality for events planned in your area.
• Organize a Storm Drain Marking event with your classroom or neighbours to inform people that water
from the street enters storm drains and ends up in our lakes, rivers and streams.
Environmentally Sensitive Choices
Consumers have many choices, including a wide range of environmentally friendly products. Whenever possible, choose those less likely to harm the environment. In most cases, reading the product label will help
determine whether or not the product contains hazardous substances.
Is it Really Biodegradable?
Purchase biodegradable products - those that are broken down in the environment by micro-organisms.
Substances can also be degraded by light, heat and chemicals naturally found in the environment. Some or all
of these processes can act together to degrade or decompose a substance. Examples of biodegradable material include sewage, fertilizers and some household cleaners. Be cautious of the product claims - as of 2006, in
Canada there are no legal requirements to substantiate that a product is biodegradable, environmentally
friendly, green or non-polluting.
Look for the EcoLogo
Environment Canada’s Environmental Choice Program at www.environmentalshoice.ca ensures that
products or services carrying the EcoLogo are leaders in environmental responsibility. This is not only true
for the product itself, but can apply to the packaging or to the end product. EcoLogo products and services
can improve energy efficiency, reduce hazardous by-products, contain recycled materials or may be reused.
When you see the EcoLogo, it is an indication that the product or service has been rigorously examined or
tested to ensure that it is a better environmental choice.
cottage & property
What You Can Do
31
Did you know?
Explore the Alternatives
Safer Household Cleaners
There are thousands of commercial products to clean, remove, eliminate or
kill unwanted substances or pests. There are also many cheaper and less
harmful methods to achieve the same result. For example, instead of using
an insecticide, sprinkle chili pepper or borax across ant entrance trails to
discourage and repel them. Keep in mind that much of what you flush, rinse
and dispose of down the drain will likely end up in rivers, lakes or groundwater. Many of these products are cleaners. Check your local library or the
Internet and explore the alternatives (for DIY recipes see the Less Toxic
Guide at www.lesstoxicguide.ca). Consumers buying environmentally
friendly products will encourage manufacturers to produce more environmentally sensitive products.
Baking soda: a good scouring
and deodorizing agent that
can be used for cleaning
appliances, vinyl, stainless
steel sinks, toilets, deodorizing rugs and drains
Vinegar: in water, it is a great
glass cleaner - undiluted, it
removes mildew
Pure soap: a good all-purpose
cleaner for anything from
clothes to dishes to boats
Borax: sodium borate or borax
is a natural mold inhibitor
and can be used to deodorize and clean floors, walls
and tiles
Natural oils: mixtures of lemon
oil, mineral oil and even
olive oil can be used for furniture and wood polish,
including wooden floors
What You Can Do
• Phone the company if you cannot find the information that you need
on the product label - some companies now have 1-800 numbers listed on their products.
• Buy phosphate-free detergents for laundry and dishes.
• Purchase products with the EcoLogo stamp of approval.
• Buy biodegradable products.
• Purchase products with minimal packaging. Buy refills and reuse
your containers. Call suppliers if you feel they are using too much
packaging.
• Reuse grocery bags, or better still, use cloth bags while shopping.
• Carry your own coffee mug to avoid using disposable cups.
• Try the following alternatives to household insecticides: to remove
food sources store cereals in air-tight containers, store excess flour in
the freezer, clean crumbs and sticky spills and use fly paper rather
than bug spray. Remove clutter, especially in damp areas of your
basement, to eliminate hiding and breeding areas for unwanted pests.
• Consider reusing before recycling.
Photo by Chanda Hunnie
cottage & property
Elbow grease: probably the
most reliable and dependable
Biodegradable
A product which can be broken down in the environment by microorganisms.
Composting
The natural decomposition or breakdown of organic material by bacteria and
other soil organisms to produce humus.
D.I.Y.
Do-it-yourself techniques.
Ecosystem
A group of plants or animals together with that part of the physical environment
with which they interact.
Effluent
The liquid waste from sewage or industrial processing.
Erosion
The gradual wearing away of land surfaces due to wind, water, or wave action.
Eutrophic lake
A lake with a high concentration of nutrients. Eutrophic lakes are often shallow
and exhibit periods of oxygen deficiency.
Exotic species
A species which is accidentally or intentionally introduced into habitats where it
is not naturally found.
Greywater
Kitchen, shower, and bath water, excluding toilet water.
Inorganic material
Chemical substances of mineral origin not containing carbon to carbon bonds.
Leaching
The separation of constituents from the soil by the movement of water through
the ground. The soluble components are carried down by the moving water where
they may enter groundwater aquifers.
Organic material
Substances containing carbon.
Pesticides
Toxic chemicals used to eliminate or control unwanted insects, plants, or other
organisms. Pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
Sedimentation
The deposition of silt, soil, or sand particles in locations where slow-moving
water loses its ability to hold heavier particles in suspension.
Turbidity
A measure of the amount of material suspended in water including clay, silt,
organic and inorganic chemicals, as well as small aquatic organisms. Turbidity
affects the amount of light which is able to pass through the water column.
Water softener regeneration Involves removing calcium (which clogs pipes) and magnesium (which mixes
with soap to create a sticky scum) from hard water. The process involves the
mixing of a brine solution of sodium chloride (salt) to remove the calcium and
magnesium which is then flushed out resulting in salty wastewater.
Watershed
The area which supplies water to a stream and its tributaries by direct runoff and
by groundwater runoff is the drainage area or watershed for the stream.
Xeriscape
A landscape technique which has reduced requirements for water by using native
plants and shrubs.
glossary of terms
Glossary of Terms
Credits
Compiled By: Chanda Hunnie, Ron Thiessen
Editing:
Donna Danyluk, Liz Dykman
Funded By:
The Sustainable Development Innovations Fund
With Manitoba Conservation
Published By: CPAWS Manitoba Chapter
All written information was derived and reprinted from the following sources:
Be ‘Bear Smart’ in Bear Country. Reprinted with the permission of Manitoba Conservation, 2008.
Burn It Smart! And Healthy. Reprinted with the permission of Natural Resources Canada, 2008.
Manitoba’s Water Protection Handbook: Everyone’s Responsibility. Reprinted with permission from the department of Water Stewardship, 2008.
Take-Action Tips for Cottaging More Lightly. Reprinted with permission of Steve Stockton and Cottage Life.
Three Degrees of Separation. Reprinted with permission of Jim Moodie and Cottage Life.
What You Can Do For Wildlife. Hinterland Who’s Who series, Environment Canada, 2002. Reproduced with the
permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, 2008.
credits & sources
3-303 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4
204.949.0782
www.cpawsmb.org